Mayor in push for Aboriginal ‘Voice’ advisory committee to Northern Beaches Council

A move is on for a Voice-like committee to advise a Sydney council on issues affecting its local Indigenous community. Have your say in our poll.

A push is on to set up a special committee made up of Aboriginal people to advise Northern Beaches Council on issues affecting the local indigenous community.

Mayor Sue Heins reckons the Aboriginal Community Advisory Group will allow the 1400 local people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to have their say.

She said while the council already sought input from indigenous people on specific activities and projects, the committee would allow them to engage with it in a “greater and more meaningful” way.

Critics suggested that it would add another layer of red tape that would delay council decision making, be too costly and could be divisive in the wider community.

But the mayor said on Monday that the committee would only advise and guide the council on “culturally appropriate” matters such as public art works and place names as well as Aboriginal heritage and conservation issues.

An Aboriginal cultural centre could be part of the proposed 'Lizard Rock' development at Belrose on 71ha of land owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. An Aboriginal Community Advisory Group created by Northern Beaches Council could give advice and guidance on issues such as this. Artist’s impression: Cox Architecture

It could also guide the council in the creation of its Reconciliation Action Plan.

Cr Heins also stressed that the advisory group would not be contacted about every council project or issue and that the council would still have the final say.

In a Mayoral Minute to be debated at a meeting on Tuesday, she will ask the council to support her motion that its CEO provide a report on establishing the advisory group.

The mayor said details about whether the committee would be funded by ratepayers; how many members it would have and; if its members would be paid, would be canvassed in the CEO’s report.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins wants to see an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group set up to guide the council on issues affecting the local Indigenous community. Picture: Supplied

“While Council does have strategy documents that speak to our commitment to engaging, working with and listening to our local Aboriginal community, we need action,” she stated in her Mayoral Minute.

“We need a more holistic approach, which directs action and is driven by an Aboriginal Community Advisory Group working with staff to ensure we take actions and not just simply have conversations.

“We do not have a formal Reconciliation Action Plan, which I believe is integral in demonstrating meaningful respect for our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents.”

Cr Heins said that the call for the advisory group came from some sectors of the Aboriginal community on the northern beaches.

Northern Beaches Councillor Stuart Sprott. Picture: Adam Yip/ Manly Daily

Northern Beaches Councillor David Walton. Picture: Adam Yip/ Manly Daily

She said it “would be good to have a point of view from this committee”.

“It’s local feedback … it’s about capturing what’s important to our local Aboriginal community.”

The mayor pointed out that the has other advisory committees, on traffic for example, which offer expert advice to assist the council make decisions.

Liberal councillor David Walton will oppose the motion, arguing that there were unknown costs associated with the proposal.

“It could be divisive in the community and may be duplicating state and federal government responsibilities.

“The debate on the referendum on the Voice to Parliament was very divisive.

“We have legislation about how the council operates under planning laws and alike, so why do we need this?

Officials from the Aboriginal Heritage Office and Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council at a construction site at Little Manly Beach a day after Northern Beaches Council contractors, building a new seawall, uncovered historic human bones in July, 2022. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“The CEO’s report, hopefully, will alleviate our concerns about this.”

Liberal councillor Stuart Sprott also questioned the need for the committee.

“We already communicate with organisations like Aboriginal land councils and the Aboriginal Heritage Office.

“I don’t see why we need to be creating more committees, doubling up and creating more paperwork.

“Let’s just work with the organisations we’ve got.”